Now housing association A2 Dominion Homes has applied to have the restriction lifted.

It said: “During vacation periods the accommodation may be occupied by students of other institutions, academic and cultural visitors to Oxford, and conference delegates.”

The move has been opposed by Liberal Democrat Graham Jones, a councillor for St Clement’s. He said residents were fed up about the “mission creep” of the Wavy Gate development.

He said: “First the chance was lost of using the site for affordable homes. Flats for postgraduate students of St Hilda’s were approved instead.

“Then St Hilda’s pulled out and the appalling, prison-like blocks we now have were approved.

“People in East Avenue and Ablett Close have lost light and privacy, and night-time security lamps glare into their homes. Disturbance has increased, too. Only the other day there was a Tweet saying ‘Great night #wavygate #oxford #drunk’.”

But he fears the new application will be approved, as precedents have been set elsewhere in the city.

He said: “That doesn’t mean residents’ worries shouldn’t be aired. Their concerns need to be recognised.

“When you live in a ‘student street’, like I do, university vacations are the only times in the year when you can get a proper sleep.

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“Maybe the rooms will be let to conference-goers, but I’m not holding my breath. More likely it will be foreign English language students at colleges that are not regulated.”

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A2Dominion’s commercial planning manager for the South East, Jim Smith, said: “The council has granted approval for holiday lets at other student accommodation sites in Oxford, including Slade Park, in Horspath Driftway.

“We have received no complaints from nearby residents regarding current Wavy Gate tenants, and the site has been well maintained by students since it opened last October.”

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Comments (3)

This is fairly standard practice in other university towns and cities. And you do know that most of the Oxford Colleges rent out rooms out of term time to conference guests, language students, and tourists?

This is fairly standard practice in other university towns and cities. And you do know that most of the Oxford Colleges rent out rooms out of term time to conference guests, language students, and tourists?WitneyGreen

This is fairly standard practice in other university towns and cities. And you do know that most of the Oxford Colleges rent out rooms out of term time to conference guests, language students, and tourists?

Score: 1

Andrew:Oxford says...12:20pm Thu 20 Mar 14

A2Dominion may as well just go ahead and use the accommodation in the summer - whether with permission or not. There is absolutely no way the local authority would do anything that would result in 200 teenagers being turfed out of accommodation and onto the streets - where they would be forced to take responsibility. As to security lights "glaring" - I'd be very surprised if the former builders yard didn't have security lighting too.

A2Dominion may as well just go ahead and use the accommodation in the summer - whether with permission or not.
There is absolutely no way the local authority would do anything that would result in 200 teenagers being turfed out of accommodation and onto the streets - where they would be forced to take responsibility.
As to security lights "glaring" - I'd be very surprised if the former builders yard didn't have security lighting too.Andrew:Oxford

A2Dominion may as well just go ahead and use the accommodation in the summer - whether with permission or not. There is absolutely no way the local authority would do anything that would result in 200 teenagers being turfed out of accommodation and onto the streets - where they would be forced to take responsibility. As to security lights "glaring" - I'd be very surprised if the former builders yard didn't have security lighting too.

Score: 1

sarahmw says...10:29am Fri 21 Mar 14

One of the many objections to the site ever being built was that there was no real demand for this accommodation. The developers knew that when they built this student block - even though the site was needed for housing for residents. And to alter the conditions on a planning application is just like the council saying 'we do not care who lives there - just as long as the council gets the money'.

One of the many objections to the site ever being built was that there was no real demand for this accommodation. The developers knew that when they built this student block - even though the site was needed for housing for residents.
And to alter the conditions on a planning application is just like the council saying 'we do not care who lives there - just as long as the council gets the money'.sarahmw

One of the many objections to the site ever being built was that there was no real demand for this accommodation. The developers knew that when they built this student block - even though the site was needed for housing for residents. And to alter the conditions on a planning application is just like the council saying 'we do not care who lives there - just as long as the council gets the money'.

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